About This workshop
This intensive one-day workshop delves into the exciting world of autonomous drones tailored for ecological surveying. Participants will gain hands-on experience in assembling small UAVs, integrating specialized sensors for data collection, and programming flight paths for forest mapping and health analysis. We'll cover topics from basic drone mechanics and flight dynamics to advanced computer vision applications for tree identification and disease detection. The focus will be on practical applications relevant to Vermont's natural landscapes, providing skills for environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Attendees will work with open-source drone platforms and learn to process collected data into actionable insights, culminating in a simulated field deployment exercise.